Page 99 of Treachery in the Highlands

"That's right," Eanraig confirms."Will you hear my son's apology?I would understand if ye dinnae what to."

Rachel lifts her chin and rolls her shoulders back, looking every bit the braw, strong lass she is."Alisdair, you may tell me what you wish to say."

Alisdair MacLeod shifts uncomfortably as if he has fire ants in his trews, his gaze shifting from Rachel to me, then back again.The arrogance I remember from our first meeting is gone, replaced by something that looks suspiciously like genuine remorse.

"Rachel, I..."he begins, then stops, clearing his throat."I've rehearsed this speech for months, but now that I'm standing here, the words feel inadequate."

"Give it a try anyway," I suggest, not unkindly, but firmly.Nobody hurts my wife and gets away with a half-assed apology.

Alisdair winces, then squares his shoulders."I behaved dishonorably.When you rejected my advances, I should have accepted your decision with grace.Instead, I let my wounded pride turn to anger, and I spread falsehoods about you throughout the clans."

He hesitates, but his daddy gives him a reproving look.

Alisdair swallows hard."There is no excuse for my actions.I dishonored not only you but myself and my clan too."His voice wavers a touch, but he meets Rachel's gaze directly."The things I said were untrue and spoken out of spite.You were right to reject me, and I was wrong in every way that followed."

Rachel's posture remains rigid, but I can feel the subtle shift in her mood.My wife has a generous heart, sometimes too generous for her own good.I slide my hand into hers, squeezing gently.

"Why now?"she asks."After all this time?"

Eanraig steps forward."The birth of your son has reminded all of us of what truly matters.Clan feuds can poison generations if not addressed."

"And I could not bear the thought of your child growing up hearing lies about his mother," Alisdair adds, his voice softening."I have spent these past months reflecting on the man I wish to be, and that man is not one who lets pride destroy the reputation of an honorable woman."

Rachel's fingers tighten around mine, and I can feel the subtle tremor running through her.This apology means more to her than she'd ever admit.The whispers and sidelong glances from other clans had hurt her deeply, though she'd faced them with her chin high.

"It took courage to come here," Rachel finally says."I cannot say all is forgiven, Alisdair, but I acknowledge your apology and appreciate that you made it publicly."

He smiles tightly."Thank you, Rachel."

My amazing wife holds out her hand to Alisdair, waiting until he cautiously accepts---with a genuine smile."We look forward to seeing you at thefaidhirour family plans to hold soon, here at Dùndubhan."

Alisdair grins."Aye, we will attend the fair and purchase the wares being offered."

"The MacLeods are welcome to bring their own wares to sell."

With that, we say goodbye to Eanraig and Alisdair.

The future holds incredible promise these days, and I can hardly believe our good fortune.

As Kieran strides back into the house, Rachel slides her arms around my waist."Care to visit theabhainn na daoine maithe?My mother is taking care of the bairn.And something about motherhood has begun to make me extremely aroused."

"Hmm, what should we do about that?"

"Is iomadh rud a nì dithis dheònach, Joey."She winks."That means two willing people can do many things."

"Damn, you know how to get me hard fast."I cup her ass with both hands."Let's get naughty on the banks of the Ashray river, baby."

We race through the courtyard hand in hand, laughing as race to the waterfall.And we do exactly what I suggested.

The Ashrays must be blushing.

The Hot Scots will return!